Fire Department of Montgomery Township

This week’s featured member is Firefighter Andrew Wilbur. Andrew began his journey in the fire service in February 2019 at Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department. He moved to the area after serving 5 years in the US Navy in the Submarine Force and immediately joined Station 80. Andrew achieved Pro Board 1001 Firefighter 1 National Certification within the first year of joining. Andrew worked towards and obtained his Swift Water Rescue Technican certifications, along with various Pro Board certificates in firefighting and rescue disciplines. Andrew bought a house in 2021 in Montgomery Township, PA and soon after, joined the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, where he continues working towards various certifications in firefighting and other disciplines. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys hiking, fishing, brewing beer, traveling with his wife around the world, and rooting for his hometown sports teams, including the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings. Professionally, Andrew works for a defense contractor as an System Integration/Test Engineer, where he is also a part of the Emergency Response Team for the facility. Andrew joined the FDMT to give back to his community and help others any way he can. Stop by the station and meet Andrew and all the volunteers on Monday Nights! One Department. One Mission. #WeAreMontgomeryTwp

Thank you Montgomery Township, PA for sharing this important safety message! We love NFPA’s Fire Prevention Month! If you live in Montgomery Township, PA and need smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, please reach out to the Fire Marshal’s Office for assistance! One Department. One Mission. #WeAreMontgomeryTwp

Assistant Fire Chief John Scheiter, Captain Andrew Backlund, and Public Information Coordinator Derek Muller attended the Emergency Disaster Incident Training Symposium - EDITS hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety and the Eastern Montco Emergency Management Group. The symposium was held at Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center. Public Safety Officials from the region attended this two-day training, which featured presenters from across the United States. One Department. One Mission. #WeAreMontgomeryTwp

This week’s featured member is Firefighter Lauren Maxwell. Lauren is from a military family and wanted to continue in public service by volunteering with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township. Lauren joined the department in 2022 and completed Pro Board 1001 Firefighter 1 within the first six months. Lauren has achieved several certifications including ProBoard Hazmat Technician, which was hosted by the Montgomery Twp. Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4890 in Montgomery Township, PA. Lauren is completing her health science and criminal justice degree and plans to start a bachelor’s degree program in 2025. Lauren completed and received certification from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Federal Virtual Training in Cybersecurity. She also completed courses with the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) courses in human trafficking, cybersecurity, public health, terrorist financing, and intelligence. Lauren enjoys rock climbing, hiking, strength training, and hanging out with friends and family in her free time. Most importantly, she roots for the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers. Go, Birds! Lauren joined the department because she believes that anyone can make a difference with determination and that women belong in public safety. Come meet Lauren and our amazing volunteers on Monday nights at Battalion 1. One Department. One Mission. #WeAreMontgomeryTwp

This week's featured member is Lt. Kyle Stump. Kyle Stump grew up around the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, as his father was a member and line officer. Kyle joined the Department in 2019 and most recently served as an interior firefighter before being appointed as a Lieutenant in 2024. In his time with the FDMT, he has obtained numerous Pro Board certifications in disciplines such as firefighting, rescue, code enforcement, hazardous materials, and fire investigation. Additionally, Kyle is a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Kyle is currently employed by several public safety organizations in Montgomery and Bucks counties. He completes his Bachelor of Arts degree this spring at Arcadia University in Glenside, PA and intends on seeking a career in the fire service soon thereafter. In his free time, Kyle enjoys playing organized baseball, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and visiting new places. Kyle joined the FDMT to serve his community and highly recommends that others do the very same. Stop by the station to meet Kyle and to learn more about volunteering with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township. One Department. One Mission. #wearemontgomerytwp Montgomery Township, PA

Please see the below post for a podcast where Fire Chief Bill Wiegman, with Police Chief J. Scott Bendig and VMSC Emergency Medical Services Chief Shane Wheeler, discuss the current challenges faced by police, fire, and EMS in Montgomery Township, PA. This podcast is hosted by Township Manager Carolyn McCreary. One Department. One Mission. #WeAreMontgomeryTwp

This week’s featured member is Fire Police Captain Lee Morano. Lee joined the Fire Department in March of 2017. He was looking for something to do to help the community during his retirement. He was also volunteering in the Emergency Department at Doylestown Health. Lee retired from Leeds & Northrup Co. after a 50 years of employment. Only leaving for a 3 year commitment in the US Army. He was deployed to Vietnam serving in the 281st Assault Helicopter Company. After 3 years in the Fire Police, Lee was appointed to the position of Lieutenant. Two years later he was appointed as Captain of the Fire Police unit where he now serves. Lee has also been the Treasurer of the FDMT for the past 4 years. Lee has completed many training hours obtaining certifications in several different areas. He has received 3 major awards from the FDMT: 1) Presidents Award 2) Chiefs Award 3) Firefirefighter of the Year. In his spare time he is an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. (Season ticket holder for 53 years.) He enjoys spending time with his wife Ellen, 3 kids & 10 grandchildren. Come meet Lee and the members of our department on Monday nights at Battalion 1. One Department. One Mission. #WeAreMontgomeryTwp Montgomery Township, PA

This week’s featured member is Lt. Michael Kunzig. Mike joined the Northampton Township Fire Department in 1997 at the age of 18 while attending full-time classes at Drexel University. He received his certification in Firefighter 1 and an alongside a group of his childhood friends began what would become a passion for serving his community as part of the emergency services. On any given night, Mike could be found in an empty bay of the firehouse tinkering with his car or working on a firetruck. This quickly turned into a position as a truck engineer and eventually into a position as the chief engineer until he left the company to move to a new home with his wife, Christine. At the birth of his first son, Mike and his family moved into Montgomery Township, PA and quickly became acquainted with many members of the community. By happenstance, a chance meeting with a neighboring fire chief in an offhand comment about missing the fire service, prompted a challenge by the chief to meet the members at Station 18. one casual visit to the fire house during a Monday night drill and a short conversation later, Mike was a member of the FDMT, he has picked up where he left off pursuing certifications in firefighter two, instructor, hazardous materials, rope technical rescue, and vehicle rescue technician. Mike currently lives in Montgomery Township with his wife and two sons and in his spare time Mike has earned a black belt in American tang soo do, enjoys weight training with his family, spending time with his kids, is a member of the Bucks county off-road group, and volunteers with first robotics program as a guest judge. In his professional career, Mike is a supply chain lead for a large pharmaceutical company. Come meet Mike and all our volunteers! One Department. One Mission. #WeAreMontgomeryTwp

This week’s featured member is apparatus driver, firefighter, and life member, Alex Olimpo MS, CFPS, ASP, CSP. Alex joined the department in 2008, and has served FDMT as an apparatus driver trainer, prior engineer officer, and past president. Alex's work in fire, rescue, and emergency medical services began in 1987. At the age of 16, he volunteered at Second Alarmers Rescue Squad, then two years later joined Edge Hill Fire Company. He has volunteered at various fire departments in Maryland and Ohio, and he interned with Prince George's County, Maryland Fire and EMS Department fire investigation division and Congressional Fire Services Institute before moving back to PA in 2001. Over the years, Alex has held various administrative and operational positions. He has obtained numerous certifications and degrees from fire academies, colleges, and universities. Alex has earned and maintained authorizations, professional certifications and qualifications from BCSP, NFPA, OSHA, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, and the Pro Board. Currently, Alex is a member of ASSP, NFPA, and NFSA. Alex is employed as a loss control services consultant and property subject matter expert in the insurance industry. He has authored several articles for his company, frequently performs safety evaluations, and presents on fire department operations and fire protection systems. Alex and his family are active members at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church & School. He enjoys watching his daughters perform in school theater, robotics competitions, dance recitals, and volleyball games. When he is not busy he loves to travel with his wife and two daughters including recently visiting London and Paris. Thank you Alex! Stop by the firehouse on Monday night to meet Alex and all of our volunteers. One Department. One Mission. #WeAreMontgomeryTwp

We were happy to provide this life-saving training to MMR staff today! We can’t wait to see the finished fire safety video! One Department. One Mission. #CommunityPartnership #FireSafety #CPR #WeAreMontgomeryTwp